Effect of exercise on depression severity in older people: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Bridle, C., Spanjers, Kathleen, Patel, Shilpa, Atherton, Nicola M. and Lamb, Sarah E. (2012) Effect of exercise on depression severity in older people: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. British Journal of Psychiatry, 201 (3). pp. 180-185.

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Abstract

Background: The prevelance of depression in older people is high, treatment is inadequate, it creates a substantial burden and is a public health priority for which exercise has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy. Aims: To estimate the effect of exercise on depressive symptoms among older people, and assess whether treatment effect varies depending on the depression criteria used to determine participant eligibility. Method: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of exercise for depression in older people. Results: Nine trials met the inclusion criteria and seven were meta-analysed. Exercise was associated with significantly lower depression severity (standardised mean difference (SMD) = -0.34, 95 CI -0.52 to -0.17), irrespective of whether participant eligibility was determined by clinical diagnosis (SMD = -0.38, 95 CI -0.67 to -0.10) or symptom checklist (SMD = -0.34, 95 CI -0.62 to -0.06). Results remained significant in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, for older people who present with clinically meaningful symptoms of depression, prescribing structured exercise tailored to individual ability will reduce depression severity.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This item is available from the research repository at University of Lincoln.
Depositing User: Rachel Stewart
Date Deposited: 14 Mar 2019 11:23
Last Modified: 23 Jul 2019 14:20
URI: https://bgro.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/496

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